Above-average rainfall has been recorded for July, while alleviating drought conditions now caused standing water in other portions of the state according to the latest U.S Department of Agriculture’s Iowa Crop Process and Condition Report. For the week ending July 20, farmers had 4.3 days suitable for field work, which consisted of fungicide spraying, cutting hay and harvesting oats. Heavy rain caused the pause for work, as the state saw a weekly average precipitation of 1.88 inches, .86 inches above the normal. Some places in the state received nearly a month’s worth of rainfall in the week timespan. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says “July has been particularly wet for portions of Iowa. The monthly statewide average rainfall is above normal and we’ve still got 10 days to go. Unfortunately, saturated soils and increased streamflow have led to localized issues with standing water and flash flooding in some areas. While overall crop progress has benefited from the wetter conditions and somewhat milder temperatures, attention is now turning to the heat dome building in over the state, which will bring hot temperatures and humidity this week.” Topsoil moisture rated seven percent short to very short, 72 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 11 percent short to very short, 72 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Corn conditions across the state rated three percent poor, 11 percent fair, and 86 percent good to perfect with 18 percent of corn in the dough stage and corn silking at 62 percent. Soybeans remain ahead of last year with 69 percent blooming and 33 percent setting pods. Soybean conditions rated 3 percent very poor to poor, 17 percent fair, and 80 percent good to perfect. View the full report online at www.nass.usda.gov.
